The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (The COMET) has announced that Rickey L. Mack, assistant general manager for The COMET’s operations contractor, RATP Dev USA, has been selected by the South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs as its Veteran of the Month for August 2026.
A retired senior chief petty officer in the U.S. Navy, Mack dedicated 24 years to military service before continuing his commitment to public service through transportation leadership.
“Rickey exemplifies the values of integrity, dedication, and service that are at the heart of both military and public transportation careers,” said Maurice Pearl, executive director and CEO of The COMET. “His leadership helps ensure that thousands of residents, including many veterans, have access to safe, reliable transportation every day. We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.”
“Rickey is the kind of leader who inspires those around him through both his professionalism and his commitment to service,” said Lenny Cooksey, general manager for RATP Dev at The COMET. “His military career reflects a lifetime of dedication, sacrifice, and leadership, and those same qualities continue to benefit our employees, riders, and community every day. We are incredibly proud to see him recognized as South Carolina’s Veteran of the Month.”
Mack enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1981 and served as a boatswain’s mate. During his military career, he received numerous awards and commendations, including the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.
He participated in multiple deployments, humanitarian missions and recruitment efforts and advanced to petty officer 2nd class and petty officer 1st class during his service.
After retiring from the Navy in 2005, Mack continued his education, earning an associate degree from the University of Phoenix and completing the University of South Florida’s Transit Manager Certificate Program.
Originally from St. Louis, Missouri, Mack relocated to South Carolina in 2023 and quickly embraced the state’s strong sense of community.
“What truly convinced me to stay was the strong sense of community and the welcoming spirit of its residents,” Mack said. “South Carolina is a place where relationships matter, neighbors support one another, and public service is genuinely valued.”
Today, Mack’s leadership at The COMET helps support transportation services that connect residents with employment, health care, education and other essential destinations. His work is particularly meaningful for veterans who rely on public transportation to access medical care, community resources and other services.
The South Carolina Department of Veterans’ Affairs recognized Mack for demonstrating that the principles of military service continue long after a veteran leaves uniformed service. Through his leadership at The COMET, Mack continues to put those principles into practice by serving the community and helping improve the quality of life for those who depend on reliable transportation.
